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Segmented Highly Branched Copolymers: Rationally Designed Macromolecules for Improved and Tunable (19)F MRI
Kewei Wang1, Hui Peng1, Kristofer J Thurecht1
1Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology; Centre for Advanced Imaging; ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
Biomacromolecules
|July 29, 2015
Summary
Highly branched polymers offer new possibilities for fluorine-19 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. Tailoring polymer structure enables tunable and selective imaging performance for advanced medical diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Medical Imaging
- Materials Science
Background:
- Highly branched polymers are explored as advanced contrast agents for fluorine-19 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Current contrast agents have limitations that necessitate the development of novel materials.
- Fluorine-19 MRI offers unique advantages for molecular imaging applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize segmented highly branched polymers (SHBPs) for (19)F MRI applications.
- To investigate the structure-property relationships influencing (19)F NMR imaging performance.
- To demonstrate tunable and selective imaging capabilities by controlling polymer architecture.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of SHBPs via self-condensing vinyl copolymerization (SCVP) using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization.
- Characterization of polymer structure and properties using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).
- Evaluation of (19)F NMR properties, including signal characteristics and relaxation times, as a function of polymer composition and branching.
Main Results:
- SHBPs with varying compositions and degrees of branching were successfully synthesized.
- (19)F NMR properties were significantly influenced by monomer sequence distribution, backbone type, and branching degree.
- SHBPs with statistical copolymeric acrylate segments exhibited desirable imaging characteristics: single (19)F signal, long T2 relaxation times, and high fluorine content.
- Tunable and selective imaging was achieved by exploiting differences in relaxation times.
Conclusions:
- Segmented highly branched polymers are highly promising for next-generation (19)F MRI contrast agents.
- Controlling polymer structure and composition allows for the optimization of imaging performance.
- These tailored polymers demonstrate potential for both general and selective imaging applications in diagnostics.
